World Cup 2026

[The Sultan]

On the Uruguay thing, I read that so many of the players were just going elsewhere that they cancelled the charter. This wasn't some type of retribution. Their players either play in Europe, or in Argentina and Brazil (which are on breaks until mid-July), so everyone wanted to head elsewhere.

[wadesworld]

Game in KC was awesome last night. For a team between two teams that probably get knocked out in this round, it was a really entertaining and exciting game. All 6 goals were impressive, and you had two extra time goals that moved both teams through. And the transportation was really efficient.

[MuggsyB]

I live within 4 miles of the stadium, so I took a look at WC tix for Wednesday.  Absolutely insane.  $1750 a pop for the worst possible seats. 

[Jockey]

You Canadian?

Rooting for the Canucks. My daughter was best friends with the Canadian coach and his wife (then girlfriend) in high school. She and her boyfriend went to prom with them. So, it's nice to root for someone I have known.

[JWags85]

As is Uruguay.

The ugliness of Uruguay's 2026 World Cup elimination apparently goes well beyond the field.
The AUF, Uruguay's soccer federation, has canceled the charter flight set to take players from their base camp in Mexico back to their capital city of Montevideo, according to Uruguayan broadcaster Tenfield. Players will instead be left to take commercial flights either home or to vacations with their families.

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/world-cup-2026-uruguay-federation-reportedly-cancels-charter-flight-home-has-players-fly-commercial-after-elimination-231056137.html

Hindsight its 20/20, but beyond the obviously difficulties of the first WC without the best Uruguayan player ever, plus a few other all time greats, Bielsa seemed to be completely unfocused and as the games began, seemed like he had no control of the locker room.  Even if you agree with his stances, it felt like all of his comments leading up to the WC were rather critical of the US/FIFA, he used his intro video to voice protest, etc...  Which is absolutely his right and I would imagine he has no regrets.  But when you do that and your team looks unfocused, disorganized, and star players look visibly fed up with you during and after matches, all while putting forth a disastrous performance...yea.

On a more positive note, Netherlands/Morocco should be fascinating tonight.  Both top squads, but Netherlands has looked fantastic, cohesive and aggressive.  Meanwhile, Morocco has looked fairly disappointing and disjointed in attack, one of the more underwhelming of the top sides, IMO.  So it will be interesting to see how it plays out.  And that's not even factoring in the significant contingent of Dutch-born players on the Moroccan side, I think there is at least a half dozen

[panda]

Rooting for the Canucks. My daughter was best friends with the Canadian coach and his wife (then girlfriend) in high school. She and her boyfriend went to prom with them. So, it's nice to root for someone I have known.

Jesse marsch?? 🤡🤡🤡🤡

[Pakuni]

Jesse marsch?? 🤡🤡🤡🤡

That guy just drones on and on.

[panda]

That guy just drones on and on.

We get it marsch - the USSF screwed you. You don't need to bring it up every single interview.

[BM1090]

I swear I watch Japan lose in heartbreaking fashion every world cup

[Jockey]

Jesse marsch?? 🤡🤡🤡🤡

Sorry. I thought you and Hards were the clowns.

[Hards Alumni]

Sorry. I thought you and Hards were the clowns.

Sorry, dude is a butt hurt loser.  You may know him and like him, but that sorta tracks.

[panda]

Sorry. I thought you and Hards were the clowns.

I'm sure he's a nice guy/kind person in real life the way Craig Counsell is, but his public/professional persona is insufferable aka clown like.

[The Sultan]

Sorry, dude is a butt hurt loser.  You may know him and like him, but that sorta tracks.

I'm sure he's a nice guy/kind person in real life the way Craig Counsell is, but his public/professional persona is insufferable aka clown like.

Jesus guys...c'mon...

[BM1090]

Last two weeks have really put into perspective what the US did to Paraguay's defense

[brewcity77]

That Germany goal being ruled out in extra time was ridiculous. Nothing happened that doesn't happen on every free kick into the box.

But if the French, Dutch, and Moroccans want to bow out similarly before the semis I'm here for it.

[MuggsyB]

Ty 🇵🇾. 

[MuggsyB]

I'm definitely rooting for Morocco.  They have WAY, WAY, WAY, better cuisine than the Netherlands.  I love those Tagines. 

[jesmu84]

I did Nazi that coming

[tower912]

Wrong thread

[The Sultan]

Wrong thread

But the dentists are banned.

[MuggsyB]

Pretty good game.

[MuggsyB]

Wow.

That was a nerve-racking shootout.

Congrats to 🇲🇦. 

[jesmu84]

Dutch deserved to lose that one

[Pakuni]

France is a wagon, but dareisay that otherwise European football is looking overrated.

[JWags85]

Dutch deserved to lose that one

Koeman is a joke. Tactics, formation, everything was pathetic. I saw a tweet that said the Dutch have had 0 wins, 6 draws, and 8 losses against top 25 sides with him in charge.

Zlatan savaged him in the break before PKs and for good reason. Basically said, paraphrasing, all he's ever known from Dutch soccer, both playing at Ajax and internationally against them, is that they have an attacking mentality. Fearless, throwing men forward, it's their identity, and Koeman abandoned it. Even if they advance, they are hopeless unless they remember their identity.

Henry then accurately called out the 5-4-1 formation they came out in was very defensive and fearful. Just absurd. Especially since they were gelling so well on offense in the group stage and Morocco struggled getting going offensively.

Also, not for nothing, Koeman subbed off Gakpo and De Jong in the final 10 min, after subbing off Brobbey in the 72nd and Graverberch in the 87th, so that's why the PK lineup featured a bunch of inexperienced head scratching choices, multiple guys taking their first penalties in a Dutch kit.  So with an extremely defensive and shell mindset, presumably looking towards penalties, you take off 3 of your best and most experienced players plus Brobbey, who had been in exceptional form.  Just baffling man management after a blinder of a tactical failing.

Also, while not directly an error in the game management, what a mismatch in keepers.  Bono was unreal, incredibly experienced, and in exceptional form.  Meanwhile, Verbruggen is...fine but seemed to be completely mentally toast after he fumbled the second PK into the net.  But a huge downgrade when for decades the Dutch had Van der Sar, Stecklenburg, Krul, and Cillisen, keepers who were elite and desired by the top clubs in the world (maybe not Krul, but he was an everyday PL keeper for a decade and considered one of the best penalty savers in the world)...to a guy who just became first choice keeper for Brighton last year (after being a backup in the Belgian league and splitting time with a journeyman early on), Flekken, who was a journeymany before getting some legs at Frieburg and Brentford, but certainly not an elite keeper, and Roefs from Sunderland who may turn out good but has just one cap and was only along for experience gaining.